Right now, the Commander of the Canadian Military is on trial for the gruesome murder and 82 other counts of violence. Many people in my town (the neighbouring town of the Canadian Military Base where the fallen soldiers come) are close to the radio and TV or attending the trial, which actually ended a few days ago, with assureness Russ Williams will never get out of jail.

I find, for mysef, just like another Canadian case of Paul Bernardo, I had to protect my ears and eyes from details of this case, and read my own chosen books, engage in "up the spiral" conversations, and continue on with the (I must admit) stressful task of planning my son's Bar Mitzva.

It is an interesting thing to ponder. How do you spend your time when such details are all around you, everywhere you look - papers, TV's, people's stories and experiences...

The power of this struck me many years ago in a song by BillyGilman, then a tiny child of 10 years old, called ONE VOICE. This song came to me last night, at a time when the most wonderful Rabbi's wife spent almost 3 hours of her precious time with me on the phone...helping me to REMEMBER...at a time when I felt swallowed up by the absurdity around me! God Bless This Woman's Loving Soul, for reminding me who I am, so I can remember who others are. This post is dedicated to "you" G.E. Shalom.

ONE VOICE

Some kids have and some don't

And some of us are wondering why

Mom won't watch the news at night

There's too much stuff that's making her cry

We need some help

Down here on earth

A thousand prayers, a million words

But one voice was heard

A house, a yard, a neighborhood

Where you can ride your new bike to school

A kind of world where Mom and dad

Still believe in the golden rule

Life's not that simple

Down here on earth

A thousand prayers, a million words

But one voice was heard

One voice, one simple word

Hearts know what to say

One dream can change the world

Keep believing

Till you find a way

Yesterday while walking home

I saw some kid on newberry road

He pulled a pistol from his bag

And tossed it in the river below

Thanks for the help

Down here on earth

A thousand prayers, a million words

But one voice was heard

One voice was heard

One voice was heard

My friend helped me to remember "GOD" can hear us "always" - happy, sad, mad and glad. God will protect us while we sit in absurdity...until we can make it out again, just like he did, historically, for his people over and over.

My daughter Ayla left on Monday for another year travelling around the world, having just finished her last year of her Honors, straight A's BA in Australia, (segue - yay Samara's 3 straight A's children - bragging rights - wink wink), and having travelled the world already once. She and her Eric are now travelling together and exploring the world "together!"

She worked all through school, saved her money and is a wild (takes after her mom) and wonderful (takes after her dad lol) womyn!!! I am dedicating today's blog to her...My daughter "the artist" (takes after HERSELF!) Ayla is "her own womyn!" and she is my forever Goddess, named after Ayla from the book Clan of the Cave Bears. She lives every single day true to her name.

Her business card says: Ayla MandelImagine. Explore. Create.

I think you will see why...

This is a picture of Ayla and her Eric.

This is a gift for her brother, Jordan, who is a musician.

This is a picture Ayla painted of a location in Spain that her brother, Jordan, visited while taking a music retreat this summer.

Hmmmm...Don't know the history of this painting but I'm thinking from her trip to New Zealand last year.

This is a gift that she painted for her Eric.

This is a gift she painted for Jordan's Fiance, Our Laura.

Ayla is also a photographer.

And has a "good posing audience!!!"

This is a pastel that Ayla created many years ago and will likely give me heck for posting!!! Oh well, Proud Mommy is just that...Proud Mommy!!!!

Interesting! I just realized that creating this post helps me to see Ayla within the work I do (my blog)...I need that...I miss her so! I only have 11 months and 29 days left! haha